Florida father killed by stray bullet while celebrating newborn's homecoming

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PANAMA CITY, Fla. - A Florida father, gathered with his wife and family members to celebrate the homecoming of their 3-day-old baby was killed by a stray bullet Tuesday evening.

The Bay County Sheriff's Office said the bullet came from a neighbor's gun -- a convicted felon who had been drinking.

Steven Justin Ayers, 33, of Panama City, Fla., was hit in the back of the head by the bullet and died instantly. Police said the bullet came from a 9 mm that traveled through the neighbor's screen window, through woods and through the sliding glass door of the Ayer's home.

Police arrested Charles Edward Shisler, 62, who was uncooperative and "extremely belligerent," the arrest report said. Shisler said he picked up the gun by the trigger and it fired accidentally.

Shisler faces charges of manslaughter and felon in possession of a firearm, according to ABC affiliate WMBB TV.

"I had just gotten a picture of him and the baby which was just born father’s day," said Scott Fryer, a close friend. "The look on his face was just priceless, I was so happy for him."